Here are some helpful pointers for prospective tenants (they will forget or minimize these on the tour):
*This building will be going through an obscene renovation for the next two years. Full brickwork facade: grinding, hammering, and other dangerous and dusty work for years til it's done.
*Crumbling facade is matched by imploding parking garage. Estimated 10-month renovation means you may no longer have the luxury of paying $110 to park here. Their answer: Park at the Whole Foods (quick half mile jog) for $125/month.
*Average resident age is 95 years young. Prepare for daily sirens from the local firetrucks and ambulances. Yes, I'm serious. as a heart attack.
*Equity Management - A professional landlording company that knows enforces their rights lest you forget. For instance, they bought the building from Irene Pollin about six months into our lease. They instituted a few changes, such as a new electronic rent payment system. My girlfriend had trouble getting login information with this new system, as the front desk staff is all new too. 11th day of the month we're invited (summoned) to join Equity Residential in Montgomery County court for evictions proceedings! She quickly figured out their Equity's electronic system after that, and the summons went away (whew!)
Equity sent us the same evictions notice when my auto-bill pay from Bank of Amer was held up in the mail for some reason. BoA ended up paying the fee, but it can be unnerving to know your landlord is itching to serve evictions notice as soon as they are legally allowed.
This should make sense, though, their name is EQUITY residential. Not happy home realty, friendly apartment co-op, etc. It's Equity. Money. aka, F U, pay me.
Other points, the building's 500 apartments are serviced by just four regular elevators and two freight elevator. You're gonna wait. These also frequently break down. Bring your sneakers because you're gonna be doing the stairs to your 12th floor apt.
The street out front, Willard Ave. is nearly a highway, people drive 45 mph, and honk at you for daring to parallel park. Your visitors will have to chance this, or pay up to $12 to use the visitor lot. The other building's visitor lots are $2-3 unlimited. Hey, there's profit to made.
Ok, it's not all bad. They email you when you have a package at the front desk and have a metro shuttle which are helpful.